Atomizing-lubricator.



W WW I. M. WOODMANSBE.

ATOMIZING LUBEIGATOR. APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 12, 1914 1,1 1 3,276. Patented Oct. 13,1914.

' Z2 V l9 1 x G I, R EV//\ i 16 if 7 21 NM. \w z \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\w itnesses Attorneys THE NORRIS PETERS CO4. PHOm-LITHD., WASHINGTON, D. C.

Inventor IRA M. WOODMANSEE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOTTRI.

ATOMIZING-LUBRIGATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

Application filed March 12, 1914. vSeria11\1'o. 824,313.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRA M. WOODMANSEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at St.'Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Atomizing-Lubricator, ofwhich the following is aspecification.

The present invention appertains to a lubricator attachable to steam-supply pipes for introducing or injecting an atomized or vaporized lubricant into the steam pipe, to be carried to the steam engine, or other apparatus to which the steam issupplied, for lubricating the valves, pistons, and other working parts.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an atomizing lubricator of the nature indicated, which will be of novel and improved construction, toenhance the utility of the apparatus as a whole.

Among its more specific objects, the invention comprehends the provision of a lubrieating appliance for steam-supply pipes,

which will embody unique means for atomizing or vaporizing the oil or other lubricant; which will embody means for heating the lubricant effectively prior to its atomization by thesteam; which will be provided with novel means for draining the residue or condensation back into the steam-supply pipe without impairing the aforesaid functions; which will be provided with a sight lubricant feed; and which will be provided with means for equalizing the pressure upon the opposite ends of the sight tube.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lubrieator of the character specified, embodying a unique assemblage of component parts whereby the several parts may be readily assembled and disassembled, and whereby the structure, when assembled, Wlll carry out the several func tions in a thoroughly practleal and highly e1iicient manner.

t is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a co-ntrivance of the nature indicated. which will be comparatively simple, substantial and inexpensive in construction, as well as being simple, convenient, practical andeflicient in its use.

l/Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of whatis claimed without departing "from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a central vertical section of the improved lubricator, the section being taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. '2. Fig. 2 is a. horizontal cross section ofthe device, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. i i

In carrying out the present invention, there is provided a casing 1 having an upper chamber 2, an intermediate chamber 8, and a lower chamber 4, the intermediate chamber of compartment 3 being separated from the upper and lowerchambers or compartments 2 and 4, respectively, by the partitions 5 and 6. The intermediate or central chamber 3 is of relatively large diameter, while the upper chamber 2 is of smaller diameter, and is disposed eccentric. of the chamber 3. I i

A lubricant feed or supply tube 7, which is preferably integral with the partitions 5 and (3, extends throughthe chambers 3 and 4t, and depends through the lower end of the chamber 4, which is open. The lubricant tube 7 is provided with a longitudinal duct therethrough and the upper or butt I end of the tube 7 whichis integral with the upper partition 5 is provided with aconical valve seat 8, the upper end of the tube 7 communicating with the upper chamber 2. The lower end' of the casing 1, or the lower end of the chambered thereof, is contracted, as at 9, the contracted end portion 9 being concentric with the upper chamber 2, the tube 7 being coaxial with the lower contracted end portion 9, and the upper cham her 2, and being disposed eccentrically within the intermediate chamber 3.

The upper chamber 2 provides a lubricantchamber or compartment, and is provided at one side with an inlet port or opening 10 for the connection of an oil supply pipe, in order that the oil or lubricant may be fed into the oil chamber 2 either by gravity or pressure as is desired. 1

The upper end of the chamber 2 is conoperating with the valve seat 8 to control the passage through the tube 7. A gland let is threaded upon the reduced end portion 11 to compress the packing 15 against the stem of the needle valve 12 for preventing the escape of the lubricant from the chamber 2. The upper end of the needle valve stem is provided with any suitable hand wheel 16 for facilitating the adjustment of the needle valve.

The chamber 3 provides a primary steam or heating chamber or compartment, and is provided at that side nearest the tube 7, with a lower outlet port or opening 17 adjacent the tube 7 and the bottom or partition 6 of the chamber 3. That side or Wall of the chamber 3 farthest remote from the tube 7, or diametrically opposite the port or opening 17, is provided with a radial inlet nipple 18, forming an inlet port or passage for the chamber 3, the nipple 18 being disposed adjacent the bottom or partition 6 of the chamber 3.

A suitable frame or stay 19 is provided for bracing the present structure, for supporting the several parts thereof, the nipple 18 being passed through a suitable opening formed in the upper end of the frame or stay 19 and having a shoulder 20 at its butt end seated against the face of the frame or plate 19, a binding or retaining nut 21 being threaded or otherwise engaged upon the nipple 18 to seat against the back of the frame 19 to lock the casing l in engagement with the said frame.

The lower chamber 4: provides a secondary steam or heating chamber or compartment, which is in communication with the primary steam chamber 3 through the medium of an equalizing tube 22 having its lower end threaded or otherwise engaged through an opening or aperture formed in the partition 6 adjacent the nipple 18, the tube 22 upstanding from the partition 6 adjacent the butt end of the nipple 18 and having its upper end terminating adjacent, but slightly below the top of the chamber 3. The top or that portion of the chamber 3 which projects beyond the chamber 2, is provided with a removable plug or closure 23, above the tube 22, inorder that when the plug 23 is removed, the tube 22 is accessible, either for removing the same, or for other purposes, it being noted that the tube 22 may be readily inserted into the chamber 3, when the plug 23 has been removed, whereby the said tube may be properly applied within the casing 1. It will thus be apparent that the steam admitted into the chamber 3 through the nipple 18, may pass upwardly into the upper end of the tube 22, and thence clownwardly through the tube 22 into the lower steam chamber 4.

Disposed below the casing 1, is a cruciform casing or coupling 24, one horizontal arm of which is provided with a nipple 25 passed through a lower opening provided in the frame 19 and having a shoulder 26 seating against the face of the frame 19, a binding nut or retaining member 27 being threaded or otherwise engaged upon the nipple 25 to seat against the back of the frame 19 for locking the casing or coupling 24 to the frame. The other or opposite horizontal arm 28 of the casing or coupling 24 is connected to the outlet port 17 of the steam chamber 3 by a by-pass tube 29 which has its ends bent angularly and in threaded engagement with the port or opening 17 and the inlet arm 28 of the casing or coupling 21. It is evident that in assembling the parts, the casings l and 24 may be threaded in engagement with the ends of the by-pass tube 29, prior to the engagement of the nipples 18 and 25 with the frame 19. The by-pass 29 establishes a communication between the lower portion of the steam chamber 3 and the lower casing or discharge chamber 24:, for the purposes which will hereinafter more fully appear.

The upper arm 30 of the casing or cou pling 2% is coaxial with the lower end portion 9 of the casing 1, or the chamber 1 of the said casing 1. A glass or transparent sight tube 31 has its end portions received by the lower contracted end portion 9 of the casing 1 and the upper arm 30 of the lower casing 24, the glands 32 being threaded or otherwise engaged upon the end portion 9 of the casing 1 and the arm 30 of the casing 2 to compress the packings 33 about the end portions of the sight tube 31 to prevent leakage, and to hold the sight tube in place. The lower or depending arm 34 of the lower casing :24 is provided with a removable plug or closure 35, which permits the sight tube 31 to be slid through the lower casing or coupling 24, either to remove or to insert the sight tube, when the plug 35 is removed.

In practice, the nipples 18 and 25 are connected in any suitable manner to the steamsupply pipe or steam line, preferably to a vertical or upright portion thereof, in order that the nipple 25 may be disposed nearest the steam engine or apparatus to which the steam is supplied, and in order that the nipple 18 will be farthest remote from the steam engine, or the like. Thus, as the steam is exhausted, the pressure at the nipple 18 will be slightly greater than the pressure at the nipple 25, causing a portion of the steam to pass through the present apparatus, or through the nipple 18 into the chamber 3, it being obvious that the present apparatus shunts a portion of the steamsupply pipe.

W'hen the present apparatus or lubricator ply pipe, through the nipple 25.

has been properly installed, the steam in en tering the chamber8, will surround the up tube 31 which is in communication with the chamber 4;, the steam passing into the lower casing or chamber 2% from the sight or mixing tube 31. From the casing 24, the steamis returned back into the steam sup The steam within the chamber 4: and sight tube 31 will thus heat the lower end or nozzle portion of through the lubricant tube 7, the flow being controlled through the medium of the needle valve 12, as will be obvious, and as the lubricant flows downthrough the tube 7, the same will be heated, to enhance the atomization or. vaporization thereof. As the oil or lubricant drops from the nozzle or top of the tube 7, the steam will take up thesame and atomize and vaporize the lubricant, it being evident that the lubricant in being heated prior to the discharge, willbe readily atomized or vaporized. The current of steam along the nozzle or tip of the tube 7 will also facilitate the atomization of the lubricant, in order that the lubricant will be carried oli in the form of a vapor with the steam into the steam-supply pipe, and thence through the steam-supply pipe to the engine or other ap paratus, for lubricating the wearing parts.

The advantages accruing from the peculiar structure of the present device, are numerous. It is to be observed that the device is provided with a down feed, within the sight tube 31, in order that theoperator or attendant may observe the amount of discharge of the lubricant, whereby the discharge of lubricant may be controlled to a nicety by properly adjusting the needle valve 12; This will enable the attendant to prevent the excessive or sluggish discharge of the lubricant, both of which are detrimental. It is also to be observed that the lubricant tube 7 will be heated to a high temperature by the steam. to assist in the atomization of the lubricant, whereby the lubricant will be vaporized in a thorough manner, to increase the efficiency of the lubricator. The equalizing or, upstanding tube 22 prevents residue or condensate from flowing into the secondary steam chamber 4,

whereby the condensate or drops-of water cannot commingle with the lubricant during the atomizing action, which would be detrimental. In this manner, the steam supplied to the nozzle end of the lubricant equalizing tube 22.

and will thoroughly atomize the lubricant, the drops of condensate of residue remaining within the lower portion of the chamber 3, inasmuch as the equalizing tube 22 serves as a trap. It is also to be observed that the equalizing tube 22 being disposed adjoining 1 the nipple 18, will be heated, to'maintain the steam passing through the tube 22, at a sufiiciently high temperature. The condensate or residue will discharge down through the by-pass tube 29 into the lower chamber or coupling 24, so as to flow back into the steam supply pipe, the discharge of the condensate down through the by-pass tube 29 being accelerated by the passage of a portion of the steam down through the bypass tube. In this manner, the residue or condensate will be drained from the primarysteam chamber 3, to avoid the detrimental efl ect-so of the condensate, which might impair the operation of the device, if the condensate were allowed to' collect within the heating chamber 3 and around the oil tube 7 and A further advantage of the present device resides in the fact that the so; a

upper and lower ends of the sight or mixing tube -31 will .be subject to approximately f equal pressures,-whereby there will be no tendency to displace'the sight tube during working. conditions. It will also be observed that the oil chamber 2 being mounted on the steam chamber 3, will cause the oil or I lubricant within the chamber 2 to be heated,

cient manner. c

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as newisa i p 1. In an atomizing .lubricator, upper and lower casings, a mixing tube terminally received by the casing, packingmeans carried by the casings and embracing the mixing tube, the'up-per casing having a steam chamher in communication with the mixing tube, having a steam inlet, and a lubricant tube extending through the said chamber, the lubricant tube havingan inlet at one end and having its other end projecting into the, mixing tube, the lower casing having an-outlet, and a by-pass connecting the said steam chamber and the lower casing.

2. In an atomizinglubricator, a casing having primary and secondary steam cham-. bers, a steam inlet leading to the primary steam chamber, and a lubricant tube passing through the secondary steam chamber and having an inlet, a mixing tube communicating with the secondary steam chamber, the mixing tube receiving the lubricant tube and having an outlet, and atrap tube in p communication with the secondary chamber and projecting upwardly within the primary steam chamber.

3. In an atomizing lubricator, a casing having primary and secondary steam chambers, a steamvinlet leading to the primary steam chamber, and a lubricant tube passing through the secondary steam chamber and having an inlet, a mixing tube communicating with the secondary steam chamber, the mixing tube receiving the lubricant tube and having an outlet, a trap tube in communication with the secondary chamber and projecting upwardly within the primary steam chamber, and discharge means connected to the primary steam chamber adjacent its bottom, for the discharge of the condensation.

4. In an atomizing lubricator, a casing having primary and secondary steam chambers, an inlet forthe primary steam chamber and a lubricant tube extending through said chambers and having an inlet, a mixing tube in communication with the secondary steam chamber, the mixing tube receiving the nozzle end of the lubricant tube and having an outlet, and a trap in communication with the secondary steam chamber and projecting upwardly within the primary steam chamber. I

5. In an atomizing lubricator, a casing having primary and secondary steam chambers, an inlet for the primary steam chamher and a lubricant tube extending through said chambers and having an inlet, a mixing tube in commimication with the secondary steam chamber, the mixing tube receiving the nozzle end of the lubricant tube and having an outlet, and a trap in communication with the secondary steam chamber and projecting upwardly within the primary steam chamber, the mixing tube receiving communication with thelower portion of the primary steam chamber for the escape of the condensation.

6. In an atomizing lubricator, upper and lower casings, the upper casing having pri mary and secondary chambers, an inlet for the primary steam chamber, and a lubricant tube extending through the secondary steam chamber and having an inlet, a mixing tube having its ends connected to the lower casing and the secondary mixing chamber of the upper casing, the lubricant tube projecting into the mixing tube, the lower casing having a discharge outlet, a trap tube communicating with the secondary steam chamber and projecting upwardly within the primary steam chamber, and a by-pass connecting the lower portion of the primary steam chamber and the lower casing.

7. In an atomizing lubricator, upper and lower casings having primary and secondary steam chambers, a steam inlet for the primary steam chamber, and a lubricant tube extending through the steam chambers and having an inlet, a mlxmg tube having its ends connected to the lower casing and the secondary steam chamber of the upper casing, the lubricant tube projecting into the mixing tube, the lower casing having a discharge outlet, a trap tube communicating chamber, and a by-pass connectingthe lower portion of the primary steam chamber and the lower casing.

SJIn an atomizing lubricator, a casing having a primary steam chamber, and a secondary steam chamber therebelow, the primary steam chamber having a steam inlet and lower condensation discharge means, the casing having a lubricant tube extending through the secondary steam chamber and having a lubricant inlet, a mixing'tube connected to the secondary steam chamber, the mixing tube receiving the end of the lubricant tube and having an outlet, and an upright trap tube engaged through the bottom of the primary steam chamber to communicate with the secondary steam chamber.

9. In an atomizing lubricator, a casing having lubricant and steam chambers, lubricant and steam inlets communicating with the lubricant and steam chambers, and a lubricant tube extending from the lubricant chamber through the steam chamber, a mixing tube connected to the casing to communicate with the steam chamber, the mixing tube receiving one end of the lubricant tube and having an outlet, and a controlling valve carried by the lubricant chamber and coiiperating with the other end of the lubricant tube.

10. In an atomizing lubricator, a casing having an upper lubricant chamber, an intermediate primary steam chamber, and a lower secondary steam chamber, the casing having a lubricant and steam inlets communicating with the lubricant and primary steam chambers, respectively, and having a lubricant tube extending from the lubricant chamber through the steam chambers, a mixing tube connected to the secondary steam chamber, the mixing tube receiving one end of the lubricant tube and having an outlet, a controlling valve carried by the lubricant chamber and cooperating with the other end of the lubricant tube and an upright trap tube disposed within the primary steam chamber and engaged through the bottom thereof to communicate with the secondary steam chamber.

11. In an atomizing lubricator, a casing having an upper lubricant chamber, an intermediate primary steam chamber, and a lower secondary steam chamber, the casing having a lubricant and steam inlets communicating with the lubricant and primary steam chambers, respectively, and having a lubricant tube extending from the lubricant chamber through the steam chambers, a mixing tube connected to the secondary steam chamber and receiving one end of the lubricant tube, a controlling valve carried by the lubricant chamber and cooperating with theother end of the lubricant tube; an upright trap tube disposed Within the primary steam chamber and engaged through the bottom thereof to communicate With the secondary steam chamber, a second casing communicating With the mixing tube and IRA M. WOODMANSEE.

Witnesses BARBARA HAEFNER,

ROBERT J. AMBRUSTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of I'acents,

Washington, 10.0. 

